Working Around The Skills Gap
Cambria Production Facility – Cambria employees at work at the Cambria Production Facility in Le Sueur, Minn. L to R: Jordan Ristow, Doug Jones, Jim Wendroth, Nik Illiff (Courtesy of Cambria)
Studies show that the demand for skilled workers is growing throughout Minnesota — especially in rural areas and small towns where manufacturing is an integral part of the local economy.
But stiff competition for those workers and the impending retirement of thousands of Baby Boomers, could short-circuit the manufacturing industry’s ability to grow, according to an August report released by the St. Peter-based Center for Rural Policy and Development.
And that could mean bad news for what the center’s executive director Brad Finstad says could be considered the cornerstone of out-state Minnesota’s economy.
“Manufacturing is a key driver of greater Minnesota’s economy. Not only are the wages higher than other industries, but there is a tremendous ripple effect from manufacturing. Manufacturing induces more jobs than any other industry,” Finstad said.
“Training tomorrow’s workers will be critical to making sure Minnesota has the skilled workers manufacturers need. It’s especially important to continue the efforts of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses and other organizations working with manufacturers to identify their needs and develop specialized programs,” Finstad said.
New reports say Minnesota suffers a skills gap, which has made it hard for employers to find new, skilled workers.
A recently published national study, “Help Wanted,” puts Minnesota near the top in the portion of its jobs that require a post-secondary education — 70 percent of jobs require the extra training. The study also suggests that Minnesota residents will fall short.
And that could mean bad news for what the center’s executive director Brad Finstad says could be considered the cornerstone of out-state Minnesota’s economy.
“Manufacturing is a key driver of greater Minnesota’s economy. Not only are the wages higher than other industries, but there is a tremendous ripple effect from manufacturing. Manufacturing induces more jobs than any other industry,” Finstad said.
“Training tomorrow’s workers will be critical to making sure Minnesota has the skilled workers manufacturers need. It’s especially important to continue the efforts of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities campuses and other organizations working with manufacturers to identify their needs and develop specialized programs,” Finstad said.
New reports say Minnesota suffers a skills gap, which has made it hard for employers to find new, skilled workers.
A recently published national study, “Help Wanted,” puts Minnesota near the top in the portion of its jobs that require a post-secondary education — 70 percent of jobs require the extra training. The study also suggests that Minnesota residents will fall short.
Read the entire story here: http://www.southernminn.com/st_peter_herald/news/article_80ad29eb-b171-5d6c-ae69-2a5d015e0a04.html?mode=story
SOURCE: St. Peter Herald
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